Systems and methods for hybrid content delivery

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods which provide data communication content delivery through, a hybrid network implementation are disclosed. A hybrid network configuration may utilize a broadcast communication technique to deliver large amounts of data communication content to one or more mobile communication device via uni-directional network links and a uni-cast communication technique via bi-directional network links with the one or more mobile communication device to facilitate delivery and utilization of the data communication content. Data content delivery loss recovery techniques implemented according to embodiments of the invention utilize network links of the hybrid network other than or in addition to the uni-directional network links to implement loss recovery techniques such as a hybrid repeat technique, a hybrid retransmission technique, hybrid statistical feedback technique, and/or combinations thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to co-pending and commonly assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/362,957 entitled “Systems andMethods for Broadcast-Enhanced Data Services,” filed Jan. 31, 2012, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to data communications and more particularly totechniques for hybrid delivery of data communication content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of data communication for delivery of various content, includingdigital data, documents, media, (e.g., Images, sound, etc.),multimedia,, (e.g., images and sound), etc., has become nearlyubiquitous in recent years. One common architecture for providing suchdata communication, includes a first data communication device and asecond data communication device which are configured to communicatewith each other over a network providing one or more data communicationchannel. Such data communication channels can be hard-wired or wireless.Examples of hard-wired data communication channels include broadbandcable and digital subscriber line (DSL). Examples of wirelesscommunications channels include Edge, 3G, 4G, WiMAX and Wi-Fi.

In one example of the use of data communication, a mobile communicationdevice, such as a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), atablet device, a portable personal computer (PC), can communicate with acentralized system, such as a web server, application server, databaseserver, etc., providing data to and/or accepting from the mobilecommunication device via a network. The network may include acombination of communication channels utilised in providing datacommunication between the mobile communication device and thecentralized system. For example, the mobile communication device maycommunicate with a broadband cellular station of the network using anEdge, 3G or 4G communication channel. The cellular station may then passthe communication along to a network router over a fiber-optic orT-carrier line. The network router may then, pass the communicationalong to the centralized system over a broadband cable or DSLconnection. That is, one or more different communication channels of thenetwork may be utilized to provide the network link between the mobilecommunication device and the centralized system.

A number of communication techniques, including various data-casttechniques and recipient signaling techniques, may be utilized inproviding such data communications. For example, data communication maybe provided using a uni-cast data-cast technique, whereby the data istransmitted as a uni-cast data stream by a first communication device(e.g., the aforementioned centralized system) to a particular secondcommunication device (e.g., the aforementioned mobile communicationdevice). Alternatively, data communication may be provided using amulti-cast data-cast technique, whereby the data is transmitted as amulti-cast data stream by a first communication device (e.g., theaforementioned centralized system) to a plurality of selected,communication devices (e.g., specifically identified first and secondmobile communication, devices). Data communication may likewise beprovided using a broadcast data-cast technique, whereby the data istransmitted as a broadcast data stream by a first communication device(e.g., the aforementioned centralized system) to a plurality ofreceiving communication devices (e.g., first and second, mobilecommunication devices desirous of receiving the data, although notspecifically identified for providing data to by the centralizedsystem).

The foregoing data streams may be transmitted, using various recipientsignaling techniques. For example, feedback techniques may be utilizedbetween a receiving communication device and a transmittingcommunication device to provide acknowledgment of receipt of individualdata packets and/or request for retransmission of particular datapackets which were not received or which otherwise contained data whichis unsatisfactory to or unusable by the receiving data communicationdevice. Such, feedback techniques may utilize appreciable networkresources (e.g., communication bandwidth, processing cycles, etc) andintroduce data latency, and thus are often impractical where a largenumber of receiving communication devices are involved (e.g., primarilyuseful with respect to uni-cast communications or multi-eastcommunications with a relatively small number of receiving communicationdevices). Alternatively, feedback between a receiving communicationdevice and a transmitting communication device may not be used in favorof blind transmission of data, thereby avoiding utilizing networkresources for acknowledgments, requests for retransmission. andretransmission of data (e.g., particularly useful with respect tobroadcast communications or multi-cast communications with a relativelylarge number of receiving communication devices). However, such blindtransmission techniques can result in missing data or data which isunusable by the receiving communication device, without providing anyway for the receiving communication device to obtain the missing orunusable data. Accordingly, systems utilising blind transmission areoften configured to accommodate a worst case, or expected worst case,situation. For example, a transmitting communication device mayimplement transmission data redundancy at a level sufficient to meet anexpected worst case. Such a configuration may, however, result inunnecessary utilization of network resources, such as where the worstcase situation is not experienced.

It should be appreciated that, although there may several differenttypes of communication channels in a network, typical systems operate toutilize a single network link (perhaps comprised a multiplecommunication channels) for a data communication session between a firstand second communication device regardless of which of the foregoingcommunication techniques may be utilized. Moreover, the network linksprovided with respect to a number of data communication device pairings(e.g., the network link between the first communication device andsecond communication device and the network link between the firstcommunication device and third communication device) may utilize anumber common network devices. These common network devices may be usedby several users at once and, therefore, demands on the common networkdevice's bandwidth may be great. For example, in an urban environment,hundreds of mobile communication device users may simultaneously accessa single cellular data node. Since the cellular data node has limitedcapacity to carry data, there may be restrictions on the bandwidthavailable to each user. This problem is particularly aggravated when themobile device users attempt to access large data files, such as mediafiles. Thus, these common network devices often become data bottlenecksand ultimately restrict the usability of the system, particularly withrespect to certain types of data communication.

Recently, this bottleneck problem has been exacerbated by an increasedpopularity of streaming media content, such as Internet-based TV,movies, and music. This streaming media content is most oftentransmitted “over the top” of the standard communication channels,meaning that the regular bandwidth of the communication channel may beheavily consumed by a small number of users, leaving the remaining usersto contend for the leftover bandwidth. In order to combat this problem,some Internet service providers have started restricting bandwidth usageand/or charging additional fees for high consumption. By way of example,a mobile communication device may be restricted to a 2 to 4 gigabytelimit on downloads within a specified period, such as a month. Othermethods include pay-as-you-go, meaning that the user simply pays forbandwidth on a per-unit basis. For example, a user may be charged a fewcents per megabyte of downloaded content.

As it turns out, much of the heavy network traffic is not unique to aparticular user or communication device in many situations. Often userstend to consume similar types of content flies. For example, each mobiledevice may require the same operating system upgrades periodicallyreleased by an operating system developer. In another example, certainvideo content tends to “go viral,” meaning that the content becomes verypopular among a large number of users within a short period of time. Inother cases, such as with regular television programming, regular groupsof users may be interested in viewing the content within a given timeperiod.

One solution proposed for the delivery of such widely consumed datacommunication content is to implement a datacast network for large filedownloads as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,007 to linden. Lindendescribes a system where media files are broadcast to a remote deviceover a wireless broadcast network using blind transmission techniques.The broadcast includes an ancillary data channel (e.g., non-real-timemedia file download) broadcast In the same broadcast channel (i.e., thesame communication link) as a primary data channel (e.g., real-timeprogram). The remote device then extracts and stores the data of theancillary data channel for subsequent output to a user. The datacastsystem disclosed by Linden includes several disadvantages. For example,the system only operates asynchronously, meaning that the media filedownloaded from the data cast network cannot be used in real time.Moreover, the datacast system of Linden relies only upon blindtransmission broadcast techniques to deliver both the primary datachannel and ancillary data channel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods which providedata communication content delivery through a hybrid networkimplementation. A hybrid network configuration utilized for datacommunication content delivery according to embodiments of the inventionprovides a plurality of different network links, implementing differentcommunication techniques, between the data communication devices of datacommunication device pairings (i.e., a plurality of network linksbetween a first data communication device, such as a centralised system,and a second data communication device, such as a mobile communicationdevice). For example, a first network link of a hybrid networkconfiguration of embodiments provides a bi-directional datacommunication link between data, communication devices of a datacommunication device pairing, such as may be utilized for datacommunication content delivery, control signaling, etc., while a secondnetwork link provides a uni-directional data communication link betweenthe data communication devices, such as may be utilized for delivery oflarge amounts of data communication content. The foregoing first andsecond network links are preferably provided using different datacommunication channels (e.g., different wireless communication channels,different communication media, etc.).

A hybrid network configuration of embodiments may, for example, utilizea broadcast communication technique to deliver large amounts of datacommunication content (e.g., media files) to one or more mobilecommunication device via uni-directional network links and a uni-castcommunication technique via bi-directional network links with the one ormore mobile communication device to facilitate delivery and utilizationof the data communication content. Such hybrid network configurationsimplemented according to embodiments of the invention operate to deliverrelatively large amounts of data communication content to datacommunication devices, such as a large number of mobile communicationdevices, in an efficient manner (e.g., low communication overhead,reduced overall use of the spectrum, efficient use of transmit power,reduced content delivery delay, optimized data redundancy, etc.).

It should be appreciated that uni-directional network links utilized forthe delivery of large amounts of data communication content in hybridnetwork configurations of embodiments provide for blind transmission ofdata communication content. That is, data communication content istransmitted to one or more receiving data communication devices withoutthe capability of feedback through the uni-directional network link fromthe receiving data, communication device. Data communication content(e.g., data packet) loss may be experienced by the receiving datacommunication device in association with the transmission of datacommunication content via the uni-directional network link. Accordingly,embodiments of the invention implement one or more techniques forrecovering data communication content losses associated withtransmission via the uni-directional network link. Data content deliveryloss recovery techniques implemented according to embodiments of theinvention utilize network links (e.g., bi-directional network link) ofthe hybrid network other than or in addition to the uni-directionalnetwork links.

Embodiments of a hybrid network configuration implement a hybrid repeattechnique for data content delivery content loss recovery. For example,each data communication device receiving data communication contentdelivery via a uni-directional network link of a hybrid networkimplementation may provide an automatic repeat request (ARQ) via abi-directional network link of the hybrid network for retransmission oflost or otherwise unusable data packets. The appropriate data packetsmay thus be retransmitted to the requesting data communication device,such as via the uni-directional network link using uni-castcommunication techniques.

Likewise, embodiments of a hybrid network configuration implement ahybrid retransmission technique for data content loss recovery. Forexample, each data communication device receiving data communicationcontent delivery via a uni-directional network link of a hybrid networkimplementation may provide data communication content loss information,such as lost packet identification, via a bi-directional network link ofthe hybrid network for retransmission of lost or otherwise unusable datapackets. The appropriate data packets for each such data communicationdevice may be collected for combined retransmission, such as usingnetwork coding techniques for retransmission via the uni-directionalnetwork link.

Moreover, embodiments of a hybrid network configuration implement ahybrid statistical feedback technique for data content delivery lossrecovery. For example, data communication devices receiving datacommunication content delivery via a uni-directional network link of ahybrid network implementation may provide feedback, such as via abi-directional network link, of statistical information (e.g., bit errorrate, dropped packet count, etc.) regarding their receipt of datacommunication content. The statistical information may be utilized foroptimizing redundancy of data communication content transmitted in theuni-directional network link.

Embodiments of a hybrid network configuration implement a combination ofdata content delivery loss recovery techniques, such as a combination ofany or all of the aforementioned hybrid repeat, hybrid retransmission,and hybrid statistical feedback techniques. A particular one or moresuch data content delivery loss recovery technique may be selected tooptimize network efficiency, to minimize data content delivery losses,to minimize data recovery delays, to meet service objectives (e.g.,quality of service), etc.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthe invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a system adapted for hybrid delivery of datacommunication content according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows operation of the system of FIGS. 1A and 1B for hybriddelivery of data communication content; and

FIGS. 3A-3C show operation of the system of FIGS. 1A and 1B for datacontent delivery loss recovery using various techniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows system 100 adapted for hybrid delivery of datacommunication content according to embodiments of the invention. Thehybrid network configuration of system 100 of the illustrated embodimentprovides a plurality of different network links (i.e., network link 111,comprising communication channels 111 a and 111 b, and network link 112,comprising communication channels 112 a and 112 b) between the datacommunication devices of a data communication device pair (i.e.,centralized system 102 and user device 106). It should be appreciatedthat, although only a single data communication device pairing is shown,a plurality of data communication device pairs, each provided aplurality of different network links, may be provided by hybrid networkconfigurations herein. For example, a plurality of user devices may bein communication with centralised system 102, wherein each such userdevice/centralized system pairing utilizes a plurality of network linkssimilar to network links 111 and 112 of FIG. 1A.

It should be appreciated that, although particular embodiments ofcommunication devices such as centralized system 102 and user device 106are shown and described to facilitate an understanding of the conceptsherein, any number of communication device configurations which areoperable to function as described herein may be utilized according toembodiments of the invention. For example, centralized system 102 maycomprise a plurality of systems (e.g., a server farm, an enterprisesystem, etc.) operable to provide data communication contenttransmission as described herein. Moreover, although described as acentralized system, a host supplying data communication contenttransmitted using hybrid network techniques herein need not be a serveror other system typically thought of as a centralized system. Forexample, a user device may function as a data communication content hostproviding transmission of data using hybrid network techniques accordingto the concepts herein.

Network links 111 and 112 used in providing data communication betweencentralized system 102 and user device 106 of the illustrated embodimentpreferably implement different communication techniques. For example,network link 111 may provide a bi-directional data communication linkbetween centralized system 102 and user device 106, while network link112 provides a uni-directional data communication link between the datacommunication devices. A hybrid network configuration of the illustratedembodiment of system 100 may, for example, utilize a broadcastcommunication technique wife respect to network link 112 to deliverlarge amounts of data communication content to user device 106 and auni-cast communication technique wife respect to network link 111 tofacilitate delivery to and utilization of the data communication contentby user device 106. Such network links, implementing the differentcommunication techniques, are used cooperatively to provide efficientdelivery of data communication content according to embodiments herein.For example, network link 111 implementing bi-directional communicationsmay be utilized for data communication content delivery, controlsignaling, etc, while network link 112 is correspondingly utilized fordelivery of large amounts of data communication content.

FIG. 1B shows additional detail with respect to system 100 ofembodiments of the invention, in the depicted embodiment, system 100includes centralized system 102 configured to communicate datacommunication content (e.g., digital data, documents, media, multimedia,etc.) to user device 106, Centralized system 102 may, for example,comprise a server (e.g., application server, web server, file server,etc) or other node used in the delivery of data communication content toother communication devices. User device 106 may, tor example, comprisevarious configurations of communication devices (e.g., mobilecommunication devices, such as smart phones, PDAs, tablet devices,portable PCs, etc., or other processor-based systems, such as servers,PCs, network appliances, etc.) operable to receive and/or utilize datacommunication content.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the hybrid network configuration of the illustratedembodiment provides at least two paths for data communication betweencentralized system 102 and user device 106. The first hybrid networkpath is shown as network link 111, which may provide a full-duplex orhalf-duplex, bi-directional data communication connection. The secondhybrid network path is shown as network link 112, which may provide auni-directional data communication connection. Network link 112 of theillustrated embodiment provides an additional avenue for communicationbetween centralized system 102 and user device 106. Accordingly,centralized system 102 of the illustrated embodiment comprisesintelligent multiplexing 131 coupled between data communication content130 and network 180 operable to provide encoding and framing of datacommunication content as well as to direct data communication betweenthe plurality of hybrid network paths in accordance with the conceptsherein.

In the depicted embodiment, the first hybrid network path (i.e., networklink 111) includes both communication channel 111 a provided by network108 between centralized system 102 and two-way station 110, andcommunication channel 111 b provided between wireless network station110 and user device 106. Similarly, the second hybrid network path(i.e., network link 112) of the illustrated embodiment includes bothcommunication channel 112 a provided by network 108 between centralizedsystem 102 and broadcast station 104, and communication channel 112 bprovided between broadcast station 104 and user device 106.

It should be appreciated that network 108, providing communicationchannels utilized by the hybrid network configuration of the illustratedembodiment, may comprise various network infrastructure, such as that ofa local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide areanetwork (WAN), wireless LAN (WLAN), intranet, extranet, Internet, cabletransmission system, wireless network, cellular network, fiber opticnetwork, public switched telephone network (PSTN), and/or the like.Accordingly, network 108 may include one or more wired or wireless pathsbetween routing devices. Various of the foregoing Infrastructure may beutilized in providing communication channels 111 a and 112 afacilitating the portion of network links 111 and 112 betweencentralized system 102 and two-way station 110 and broadcast station104, respectively.

Although a same network is shown providing the portion of network link111 coupling centralized system 102 and two-way station 110 (i.e.,communication channel 111 a) and the portion of network link 112coupling centralized system 102 and broadcast station 104 (i.e.,communication channel 112 a), it should be appreciated thatconfigurations different than that shown may be utilized, according toembodiments of the invention. For example, a first network (e.g., thePSTN or a cellular network) may be utilized to provide a communicationchannel between centralized system 102 and two-way station 110 while asecond network (e.g., the Internet or a WAN) may be utilized to providea communication channel between centralized system 102 and broadcaststation 104. Of course, no network need be disposed between thecentralized system and other stations utilized by a hybrid networkconfiguration of embodiments herein. For example, centralized system 102may be co-located with, or integral with, one or more of two-way station110 and broadcast station 104 according to embodiments.

Two-way station 110 of embodiments comprises a network, node or otherdevice for facilitating data communication content delivery betweenvarious communication devices. For example, two-way station 110 maycomprise an access point, such as may provide data communication inaccordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 or 802.16 standards, a cellular base station, such as mayprovide data communication in accordance with the long term evolution(LTE), 3^(rd) generation mobile telecommunications (3G) or 4thgeneration mobile telecommunications (4G) standards, and/or the likesuitable for providing bi-directional links as described herein. Two-waystation 110 of embodiments, however, need not provide wirelesscommunications. For example, two-way station 110 may comprise a wirelinecommunication interface, such as a router, a telecommunicationsinterface, etc., suitable for providing bi-directional, links asdescribed herein.

Broadcast station 104 of embodiments comprises a broadcast node forblind transmission of signals to various devices. For example, broadcaststation 104 may comprise a television broadcast station, such as mayprovide transmission of one or more television signal broadcast, a radiobroadcast station, such as may provide transmission of one or more radiosignal broadcast, and/or the like suitable for providing relativelybroadband uni-directional links as described herein. Broadcast station104 of embodiments, however, need not provide wireless communications.For example, broadcast station 104 may comprise a wireline communicationinterface, such as a broadband optical fiber interface or cabletransmission system interface, suitable for providing relativelybroadband uni-directional links as described herein.

Consistent with the foregoing, the communication channel providing thatpart of network link 111 coupling two-way station 110 and user device106 (i.e., communication channel 111 b) is different than thecommunication channel providing that part of network link 112 couplingbroadcast station 104 and user device 106 (i.e., communication channel112 b). For example, communication channel 111 b may comprise a datacommunication channel through which user device 106 may interact withcentralized system 102 according to standard data networking or cellularcommunication protocols as may be utilized by data communication devicessuch as user device 106. However, communication, channel 112 b maycomprise a broadcast service channel adapted to provide datacommunication content delivery to communication devices according tohybrid networking operation herein.

Accordingly, broadcast station 104 is preferably adapted to facilitatehybrid delivery of data communication content according to embodimentsof the invention. In particular, broadcast station 104 of theIllustrated embodiment comprises scheduler module 120, storage device122, broadcast multiplexer (“mux”), and transmitter module 124.Broadcast station 104 may receive data communication content data fromcentralized, system 102 and store it In data storage device 122 untilscheduler 120 determines that the data communication content should bebroadcast over communication channel 112 b by broadcast mux andtransmitter module 124.

Scheduler 120 may maintain a schedule for broadcasting the datacommunication content. According to embodiments, scheduler 120 mayincorporate manual scheduling elements and/or dynamic schedulingelements. Manual scheduling may be programmed by a user of system 100.By way of illustration, consider an embodiment where the user device 106is configured to run a sporting media application, wherein datacommunication content of which is to be delivered by hybrid deliverytechniques herein. An operator of centralized system 102 may contractwith a broadcast service provider to provide a specified bandwidth, at aspecified time, for a specified duration so that a football game may bebroadcast to one or more client devices 106. In such an embodiment,scheduler 120 may reserve bandwidth at the specified time forbroadcasting the football game. Dynamic schedule elements may include,for example, delivery of data communication content on demand.Accordingly, operation of centralized system 102 to deliver content touser device 106 on demand may interact with scheduler 120 to update abroadcast schedule thereof to accommodate transmission of the datacommunication content as demanded by the user device. Scheduler 120 maycommunicate a schedule of broadcast times for various data communicationcontent to the communication devices (e.g., centralized system 102and/or user devices 106) to facilitate the coordinated communication ofdata communication content.

The broadcast mux and transmitter 124 may split data communicationcontent into multiple data streams for simultaneous transmission overmultiple data channels, particularly where the data communicationcontent is large. For example, mux and transmitter 124 may divide a datafile for parallel transmission using frequency division multiplexing(FDM), time division multiplexing (“TDM”), and/or other multiplexingtechniques. In addition, multiple sets of data may be combined andbroadcast on the same broadcast channel to make more efficient use ofthe broadcast bandwidth.

In addition to, or in combination with, scheduler 120, storage device122, and mux and transmitter 124, broadcast station 104 may includeadditional components which are not shown, but which one of ordinaryskill may recognize as suitable for use with the embodiments described.For example, broadcast station 104 may include a processor. Theprocessor may implement all or a portion of scheduler module 120.Storage device 122 may be either a non-volatile storage device or avolatile storage device. For example, storage device 122 may include aflash memory, a random access memory (“RAM”), a hard disk, or the like.In one embodiment, storage device 122 may store code, instructions,and/or other data which may be called and executed by the processor. Forexample, scheduler 120 may be a software defined module. The code forscheduler 120 may be stored on storage device 122 and executed by theprocessor. In addition, broadcast station 104 may include one or moretransmitters associated with mux and transmitter 124.

User device 106 of the illustrated embodiment comprises transceiver 114configured for bi-directional communication (e.g., with centralizedsystem 102) via two-way station 110, preferably using one or morestandard network, protocols. User device 106 of the illustratedembodiment farther comprises broadcast receiver 116 configured toreceive one or more broadcast communication channels carrying datacommunication content broadcast by broadcast station 104, Broadcastreceiver 116 may include a radio tuner configured according to one ormore broadcast protocols, including Advanced Television SystemsCommittee (“ATSC”), China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (“CMMB”), andDigital Video Broadcasting (“DVB”), Additionally, user device 106 mayalso include processor 119 adapted to provide operation as describedherein, such as through operation to load and execute client application118.

Having described exemplary hybrid network configurations of system 100,attention is now directed to FIG. 2 wherein operation of system 100 toprovide hybrid delivery of data communication content is shown. Itshould be appreciated that system 100 is depicted in FIG. 2 to include aplurality of two-way stations (i.e., two-way stations 110 a and 110 b),either of which may correspond to two-way station 110 of FIG. 1B, and aplurality of user devices (i.e., user devices 106 a-106 k), any of whichmay correspond to user device 106 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in order to betterillustrate the operability and scalability of the system.

In operation according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, each ofuser devices 106 a-106 k has established a bi-directional network linkwith centralized system 102. Each such bi-directional network link maybe utilized to provide uni-cast communication between the centralizedsystem and the respective user devices, such as for data communicationcontent delivery, data communication content delivery control,signaling, etc. Additionally, each of user devices 106 a-106 k hasestablished a uni-directional network link with centralized system 102.Each such uni-directional network link may be utilized to providebroadcast communication between the centralized system and therespective user devices, such as for delivery of relatively largeamounts of data communication content. For example, broadcast station104 may operate to broadcast a stream of data packets, shown as datapackets P1-Pn, formed from data communication content to be delivered touser devices 106 a-106 k.

It should be appreciated that packet losses are essentially inevitablein broadcasting, particularly in wireless broadcasting. Such packetlosses are represented by the failed receipt of packet Pn1 by userdevice 106 a, packet Pn2 by user device 106 b, and packet Pnk by userdevice 106 k, It being appreciated that the particular packetsillustrated as lost are merely illustrative and any combination ordistribution of packets may be lost among the user devices. Althoughcertain packet losses may be recoverable by the user devices, such asthrough the use of data redundancy techniques (e.g., forward errorcorrection, network coding, etc.), all such packet losses are generallynot recoverable without unacceptably high data redundancy. Accordingly,embodiments of system 100 are adapted to implement one or moretechniques for recovering data communication content losses associatedwith transmission via the uni-directional network link. Data contentdelivery loss recovery techniques implemented according to embodimentsof the invention utilize network links (e.g., bi-directional networklink) of the hybrid network other than or in addition to theuni-directional network links.

FIG. 3 A shows an embodiment of system 100 implementing a hybrid repeattechnique tor data content delivery content loss recovery. For example,each user device having experienced packet losses may provide anautomatic repeat request (ARQ) via the bi-directional network link ofthe hybrid network for retransmission of lost or otherwise unusable datapackets. User device 106 a may provide an ARQ requesting that packet Pn₁be retransmitted, user device 106 b may provide an ARQ requesting thatpacket Pn₂ be retransmitted, and user device 106 k may provide an ARQrequesting that packet Pn_(k) be retransmitted. The appropriate datapackets may thus be retransmitted to the requesting data communicationdevice, such as via the uni-directional network link using uni-castcommunication techniques. For example, intelligent multiplexing 131 mayreceive the ARQs, obtain the appropriate data, communication contentfrom data communication content 130, and encode and frame theappropriate data communication content for uni-cast transmission to therespective user device. Accordingly, although the data communicationcontent may have initially been transmitted using broadcastingtechniques, via a uni-directional network link, retransmission of lostpackets may be provided using uni-casting techniques, via abi-directional network link in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 A.

FIG. 3B shows an embodiment of system 100 implementing a hybridretransmission technique for data content loss recovery. For example,each user device having experienced packet losses may provide lostpacket Identification, via a bi-directional network link of the hybridnetwork, for retransmission of lost or otherwise unusable data packetsvia the uni-directional network link. User device 106 a may provide amessage identifying packet Pn₁ as lost, user device 106 b may provide amessage identifying packet Pn₂ as lost, and user device 106 k mayprovide a message identifying packet Pn_(k) as lost. The appropriatedata packets for each such data communication device may be collectedfor combined retransmission, such as using network coding techniques forretransmission via the uni-directional network link. For example,intelligent multiplexing 131 may receive the lost packet messages,obtain the appropriate data communication content from datacommunication content 130, and encode and frame the appropriate datacommunication content for broadcast transmission to the user devices.The packets indicated by one or more user device as having been lost maybe collected, for example, until enough packets are available to providea complete (e.g., full frame) or suitably robust (e.g., network coded)data packet, until a time threshold is met (e.g., maximum delaythreshold to force retransmission where enough lost packets to otherwisetrigger rebroadcast are not reported), periodically (e.g., using aregularly scheduled rebroadcast packet period), and/or the like. Inoperation according to embodiments of the invention, the rebroadcastpackets are transmitted using redundancy, such as through using networkcoding techniques to combine the rebroadcast packets for transmission(e.g., as represented by the exclusive OR combining shown, in FIG. 3B),Accordingly, a plurality of data packets to be rebroadcast, whetherassociated with the losses of the same or different user devices, may beutilized to provide efficient, robust rebroadcasting of the datacommunication content in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3C shows an embodiment of system 100 implementing a hybridstatistical feedback technique for data content delivery loss recovery.For example, user devices receiving data communication content deliveryvia the uni-directional network link (e.g., each user device, a subsetof the user devices, such as those experiencing data packet loss, etc.)provide feedback via the bi-directional network link of statisticalinformation regarding their receipt of broadcast data packets. Forexample, each of user devices 106 a-106 k may analyze their reception ofthe broadcast data packets and determine statistical information withrespect thereto, such as bit error rate, dropped packet count, etc. Thisstatistical information may be utilized by centralized system 102 foroptimizing redundancy of data communication content transmitted in theuni-directional network link, thereby providing dynamically adjusteddata transmission redundancy based on feedback from the user devices.

In operation of a hybrid statistical feedback technique according toembodiments of the invention, the centralized system need notindividually know the individual packet tosses for the user devices, butrather determines statistically whether the broadcast data communicationcontent is being received satisfactorily or unsatisfactorily. Forexample, if a statistically significant number of reports indicatingvery low levels of data packet losses (e.g., data packet losses lessthan 5% or, said another way, data packet reception greater than 95%)are received, logic of centralized system 102 may control intelligentmultiplexing 131 to reduce the redundancy (e.g., reduce the number oftimes a packet is automatically retransmitted, reduce a level of forwarderror correction used, reduce packet redundancy in network coding, etc.)of the subsequently transmitted broadcast data (e.g., packets Pn+1,Pn+2, etc.) and thereby provide higher data throughput. Alternatively,if a statistically significant number of reports indicating unacceptablyhigh levels of data packet losses (e.g., data packet losses greater than5% or, said another way, data packet reception less than 95%) arereceived, logic of centralized system 102 may control intelligentmultiplexing 131 to increase the redundancy (e.g., increase the numberof times a packet is automatically retransmitted, increase a level offorward error correction, used, increase packet redundancy in networkcoding, etc.) of the subsequently transmitted broadcast data (e.g.,packets Pn+1, Pn+2, etc.) and thereby minimize data content deliverylosses.

It should be appreciated that the lost data packets may not need to beretransmitted in order to provide for their recovery in operation ofdata content delivery loss recovery techniques utilized according toembodiments of the invention. For example, In the foregoing hybridstatistical feedback technique, wherein user devices experiencing datapacket loss report loss statistics and the data content transmissionsystem operates to adjust data redundancy in response, the subsequentlyreceived data packets may be utilized in recovering the data packetspreviously reported as lost. In one exemplary embodiment, network codingmay be utilized in providing transmit redundancy with respect to thedata communication content. Accordingly, the network coding redundancyof data packets subsequently transmitted with a higher level ofredundancy. In response to user device reported statistics, may beutilized to recover the previously transmitted data packets according toembodiments here. Of course, one or more technique for theretransmission of lost data packets may be implemented in associationwith techniques such as the aforementioned hybrid statistical feedbacktechnique, if desired.

Embodiments of a hybrid network configuration implement a combination ofdata content delivery loss recovery techniques. For example, system 100of embodiments herein may operate to implement a combination of any orall of the aforementioned hybrid repeat, hybrid retransmission, andhybrid statistical feedback techniques. A particular one or more suchdata content delivery loss recovery technique may be selected, tooptimize network efficiency, to minimize data content delivery losses,to minimize data recovery delays, to meet service objectives (e.g.,quality of service), etc. For example, a combined loss recoverytechnique may be implemented by system 100 wherein a hybrid statisticaltechnique is utilized to optimize the use of broadcast channel bandwidthwhile a hybrid repeat technique is utilized to minimize data recoverydelays. Additionally or alternatively, the combined use of loss recoverytechniques by system 100 may provide for the selection of a particularloss recovery technique for use with respect to any particular datacommunication content transmission stream, whereby different lossrecovery techniques may be implemented simultaneously but with respectto separate data communication content transmission streams. Forexample, particular attributes of the particular data communicationcontent (e.g., the type of content, the content's tolerance to loss,etc.), its use by the user devices (e.g., real-time streamingconsumption, storage for later use, etc), the particular user devicesthemselves (e.g., decoder capabilities, storage capacity, processorcapability, loss recovery techniques supported, etc.), me communicationenvironment (e.g., noise levels on one or more transmission channel,available bandwidth in one or more channel, etc.), and/or the like maybe utilized to determine one or more loss recovery technique to beimplemented with respect to any or all data communication contentstreams transmitted using a hybrid network configuration of embodimentsherein. In operation according to embodiments of a hybrid networkconfiguration herein, the data communication content delivery isclassified into different categories, whereby one or more particulardata recovery technique is associated with each data communicationcontent delivery category tor use in achieving optimization of thenetwork.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the Invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the present invention.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps.

1. A method comprising: establishing a bi-directional network link witha host of data communication content; establishing a uni-directionalnetwork link with the host; receiving data communication content fromthe host at least in part through the uni-directional network link,wherein the data communication content is received as one or more datapackets; determining lost packet information associated with the one ormore data packets from a plurality of user devices; transmitting thelost packet information from each of the plurality of user devices tothe host via the bi-directional network link, wherein the hostimplements a data content delivery loss recovery technique based on thelost packet information, wherein the data content delivery loss recoverytechnique includes aggregating lost data packets identified based on thelost packet information transmitted to the host via the bi-directionalnetwork link, wherein the host transmits the aggregated lost datapackets in response to a determination that a size of the aggregatedlost data packets satisfies a threshold corresponding to a frame size,wherein said aggregated lost data packets are transmitted to each of theplurality of user devices, whether said lost data packets are associatedwith a same or different user device of the plurality of user devices.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the uni-directional network linkcomprises a broadcast communication channel, and wherein thebi-directional network link comprises a data network communicationchannel.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the broadcast communicationchannel comprises a television broadcast channel.
 4. The method of claim2, wherein the broadcast communication channel comprises a radiobroadcast channel.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the data networkcommunication channel comprises a wireless local area network channel.6. The method of claim 2, wherein the data network communication channelcomprises a cellular network data channel.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the lost packet information indicates at least one of a biterror rate and a dropped packet count associated with the receipt of thedata communication content from the host.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the lost packet information includes a request forretransmission of lost data communication content.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the data content delivery recovery technique comprisesa hybrid repeat loss recovery technique, whereby data communicationcontent indicated as lost is received from the host through thebi-directional network link.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein theinformation regarding the receipt of the data communication contentcomprises identification of lost data communication content.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the data content delivery recovery techniquecomprises a hybrid retransmission technique rebroadcasting at least theportion of the one or more data packets via the uni-directional networklink.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the host rebroadcasts at leastthe portion of the one or more data packets and other data packetsidentified in lost packet information received by the host from othercommunication devices communicatively coupled to the host.
 13. A systemcomprising: a communication device hosting transmission of datacommunication content, the communication device including: anintelligent multiplexing module adapted to coordinate communication,associated with transmission of the data communication content, throughboth a bi-directional network link and a uni-directional network link;logic adapted to implement at least one data content delivery lossrecovery technique with respect to the data communication contenttransmitted through the uni-directional network link in response toreceiving feedback from one or more of the plurality of user devices viarespective bi-directional communication links, wherein particularfeedback received from a particular user device of the plurality of userdevices identifies one or more data packets associated with the datacommunication content that are regarded as lost by the particular userdevice, wherein the at least one data content delivery loss recoverytechnique includes: aggregating lost data packets identified based onthe feedback; and transmitting the aggregated lost data packets inresponse to a determination that a size of the aggregated lost datapackets satisfies a threshold corresponding to a frame size, whereinsaid aggregated lost data packets are transmitted to each of theplurality of user devices, whether said lost data packets are associatedwith a same or different user device of the plurality of user devices.14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: broadcast station logicadapted to receive the data communication content directed fortransmission through the uni-directional network link by the intelligentmultiplexing module and to facilitate broadcast transmission of the datacommunication content.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the broadcaststation logic comprises: an intelligent scheduler adapted to maintain aschedule for broadcasting the data communication content.
 16. The systemof claim 15, wherein the intelligent scheduler is adapted to implementmanual scheduling to provide a specified bandwidth at a specified time.17. The system of claim 15, wherein the intelligent scheduler is adaptedto implement dynamic scheduling to update a broadcast schedule thereofto accommodate transmission of the data communication content asdemanded by one or more user device.
 18. The system of claim 35, whereinthe intelligent scheduler is adapted to communicate a schedule ofbroadcast times for various data communication content to one or moreuser device to facilitate the coordinated communication of datacommunication content.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the at leastone data content delivery loss recovery technique includes transmittingthe aggregated lost data packets in response to a determination that adelay threshold has been satisfied, wherein the delay threshold forcesretransmission of the aggregated data packets irrespective of whetherthe aggregated data, packets satisfy the threshold corresponding to theframe size.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the aggregated datapackets are retransmitted using network coding.